The artillery strike on the Holy Family Church in Gaza City confirms the worst nightmares of the small Catholic community still living in the Holy Land.
This video, recorded a few days ago, gives some idea of what it is like to live under the daily threat of being bombed.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem confirms the death of two people. Several others have been wounded, including the parish priest.
A few hours after the attack, Pope Leo sent a message expressing his:
“Deep sadness to learn of the loss of life and the wounded caused by the military attack”.
At the same time, the Pope renewed a request for an immediate cease-fire.
Around 600 displaced people are said to have been sheltering in the church at the time of the attack. The Israeli military says “the circumstances of the incident are under review”.